INTRODUCTION:

Elevate your next happy hour by infusing it with some learning about Jewish herbalism. Bring your community members together to learn about the history of Jewish herbalism as you make and drink beverages inspired by some of the major herbs used in Jewish herbalist practices.  

MATERIALS:

• Printed copies of “Jewish Herbalism Crash Course” Source Sheet (below)  
• Cups  
• Drink ingredients  
• Drink supplies (shakers, stirrers, muddling tools, etc…)  
• Optional:
  • Snacks also inspired by the herbs you’re going to use for the drinks.  
  • Additional books for group learning Ashkenazi Herbalism by Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel and/or Ritual Medical Lore of Sephardi Woman: Sweetening the Spirits, Healing the Sick by Rosemary Lévy Zumwalt and Isaac Jack Lévy 

PROGRAM OUTLINE (~60 MINUTES)

• Welcome/Framing (15 minutes)
• Mixing/Making the Drinks (15 minutes)
• Learning and Sipping (30 minutes)

Welcome and Framing (15 minutes)

Welcome everyone, invite them to grab a snack and get settled. Perhaps consider having an ice breaker question or activity related to the learning for example: 

• What is your favorite flavor? Or scent?  
• What question do you have coming into this program?  

Mixing/Making the Drinks (15 minutes)

Before the event pick one cocktail/mocktail from each of the ingredients referenced in the source sheet. Then prepare all the ingredients and supplies needed to make the cocktails as a group. Give participants the option to make a couple different drinks.

Learning and Sipping (30 minutes)

Enjoy your drinks as you gather the group to learn through the Jewish Herbalism Crash Course SOURCE SHEET as a group or in chevrutas (learning pairs).